Question 1

Does it have a built in speaker?

Accepted Answer

Yes it does have a built in speaker which isn't good. But it does have a headphone jack that you can listen to what you've recorded, or you can use it to listen to yourself while recording.

Question 2

Hello, I have a  questions about over-dubbing something on the four-track system; Say if you recorded a guitar track first, could you listen to that tack while over-dubbing the vocals? And if you could do that, could you listen to those two tracks COMBINED while recording a bass for them? I'm very interested in this mo…

Accepted Answer

The Zoom H4N is a better solution as a songwriter's portable workstation.  In addition to having more flexibility with multitracking, it also has guitar amp and cabinet model effects, ideal for electric guitarists laying down demo tracks through headphones.  The Tascam DR40X is superior as a stereo field recorder for gigs, especially loud or unpredictable ones, due to its ability to record at two levels at the same time (that is, record stereo while also recording stereo 12 dB lower, in case you set the levels a bit too high.)

Andrizee is correct about what you can do, but what you cannot do is keep the multiple passes as separate tracks.  That is, you can record multiple stereo tracks, but you're stuck with the mix you made when you recorded it (or you're limited to just two passes, or you have to do intermediate mixdowns for each new pass, which you cannot remix all together on the DR40x but you could load into a DAW and remix.)

Chad Walker is correct about the limitations.  You can't record one mono track, then another mono track, then another mono track, and then another, to end up with 4 mono tracks to mix together on the DR40x.  The Zoom is much more flexible in this regard.

Question 3

How do the built-in mics compare with $50 to $100 MXL, Behringer, or Audio Technica condenser mics?

Accepted Answer

I record with protools, and Master with sound forge.. But I find myself recording almost everything I do live, with this.. Set the limiter to auto... Absolutely never clips or crackles.. then upload to computer and edit with a Mastering program.. All the Frequencies are there... It records great bass, mids, and trebles.. if you know how to eq and bring them out with plug ins..  I owned and used it for a year before I realized (not spreading the mics open / AB ) actually records better,, More similar tracks and easy to mix... I can rip down, chop, mix a complete band practice, and burn it on a CD in about an hour... Batteries Last Forever also... BEST VALUE HERE...

Question 4

How is this for field recordings?

Accepted Answer

The DR-40 never stops to amaze me, no matter if used as stand alone recording source or on a dslr. Any good microphne will do but the better the microphone the better the results! There is no top end to the sound quality improvement this device can deliver! I currently work with 2 RODE mics: http://www.amazon.com/Rode-VIDEOMICR-CPK-Videomic-Extension/dp/B00QCMEXIU/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1437203398&sr=1-5&keywords=rode+micandhttp://www.amazon.com/Rode-NTG2-Condenser-Shotgun-Microphone/dp/B00093ESSI/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1437203398&sr=1-12&keywords=rode+micThese perform amazingly well for their price even under difficult conditions! They are both really good and worth every cent especially if you can get them as a deal with reduced price!

ASIN	B005NACC6M
Battery Average Life	15 Hours
Best Sellers Rank	#53,051 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #33 in Digital Multitrack Recorders
Brand	Tascam
Compatible Devices	Devices with USB 2.0 ports
Customer Reviews	4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,602)
Digital Recording Time	120 minutes
Format	WAV
Global Trade Identification Number	00043774027583
Hardware Interface	USB
Headphones Jack	3.5 millimeters
Item Dimensions D x W x H	3.5"D x 5.5"W x 8"H
Item Type Name	AD Converter
Item Weight	0.21 Kilograms
Manufacturer	Tascam
Memory Storage Capacity	2 GB
Mfr Part Number	DR-40
Microphone Form Factor	Built-In
Microphone Operation Mode	Stereo
Model Number	DR-40
Number of Batteries	3 AAA batteries required. (included)
Screen Size	40 Inches
UPC	043774027583 989898818631
Warranty Description	Parts, 365 days.

4 AD Converter, usb2.0, Black, DR-40

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